Posted on 10/17/2004 2:52:58 PM PDT by Buddy B
Telegram from Army catches Prince George retiree off guard
By: BEN BAGWELL , Staff Writer 10/16/2004
PRINCE GEORGE - The U.S. Army informed a 57-year-old military retiree on Thursday that he will be granted a 30-day extension before he has to report for duty as a Ready Reservist en route to Iraq.
County resident Cleveland Rodgers, who served 36 years in the Army, was comfortably retired and was teaching supply soldiers at Fort Lee. He was enjoying civilian life and, despite some health concerns, the last thing he expected was to be recalled by the U.S. Army, having served in the Army until he was 55.
But this summer he received a surprise. A telegram said, as a part of a partial mobilization for Operation Iraqi Freedom, the retired master sergeant was to report for a period of active duty not to exceed 25 days for mobilization processing. He was expected to be at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri by Oct. 20.
The Ready Reserves is a pool of individuals who have had training, served previously on active duty and who still have an obligation to serve if called. .....
(Excerpt) Read more at zwire.com ...
In 36 years he never bothered to read his enlistment contract.
"I was a nuclear, biological, chemical senior NCO (non-commissioned officer)," he said.
Now why would the Army need to mobilize a retired reservist with this unique skill set? After all, there are no WMDs in Iraq.
SO9
This one theater strategy for our military preparedness, is NOT working. As much as I want to give Bush kudos for Iraq and in many ways do, we are having to hold our troops over too long, and are prevented from escalating this situation when circumstances necessitate it.
I fear for what kind of an object lesson this is sending to our enemies. All they have to do is mire us down in Iraq or some similar place, and we're tapped out.
You don't recall a 57 year old man, unless you're grasping at straws.
We need to beef up our forces to a two theater stance. We need to reduce our dependence on the national guard reserves.
We need to supply these people in the best possible way, and yes that means armour plating supports vehicles if we're going to participate in these types of engagements.
Our convoys should have accompanying mechanized protection.
Why don't we send drones in advance of convoys to see the coast is clear. Send one to view and several to attack the enemy in advance of our passing.
Can't you just see me charging around on my scooter...lol
......Westy.....
Don't beat on a man who served in uniform for 36 years! Shake his hand and say, "Thank you".
BTW, if you read the article it says that he's reporting as ordered. Why he, in particular, is needed at his age and after the length of his service is beyond me.
Personally, I hope they don't make him deploy. Leonard Wood is the home of the Chemical School, so let him stay there and teach the young'uns. Surely there is a non-retired NCO at Leonard Wood that needs this chance to serve his country in Iraq.
Today we took one of our classic cars (64 Chevy Impala) to a car show and there I met a young Airman 2nd class dressed in his fatigues. He couldn't have been more than 20. We got talking and he said he is scheduled to go to Iraq in March 2005. I thanked him for serving his country and told him how much his country prayed for him each and every day,
I'm ten years younger than him and have been retired for 7 years. If they call, I'll go. I have a lot of bills that comes with a second marriage and young kids, and my financial situation would stink, but I knew I was lifetime-recallable since I first decided to go career 25 years ago. I'll serve proudly if called.
Well ... if called ... this Gout ridden 40 lbs overweight high blood pressure 53 year old Vietnam Vet would go. BUT not for that POS Phan Boi (Vietnamese for traitor) F'n kerry.
Actually, the Army is doing this in Iraq and are quite effective at it.
Syria, Iran coming up?
I highly doubt they'll send this guy to Iraq once I read the list of health problems he's had this year. He's going to have to jump through the hoops, nonetheless. Also, 57 ain't that old, especially if you're talking about a professional relatively nonathletic job like this guy appears to have. My husband is active duty at 56 and spent January through April in Kuwait.
I don't think any of us expected differently from you. I salute you guys that would gladly return to service. That isn't the point. The point is that we have about 150,000 troops on the ground in Iraq, and are running out of bodies to keep on the ground there.
Let's flash back to Vietnam. At one point we had in excess of 500,000 troops on the ground there. That is three times the number we have in Iraq today. This exemplifies the problem in a way that I evidently haven't been able to fully explain before this.
Our military takes a smaller slice of the overall budget than ever before. Our troop stengths are evidently less than 1/3rd of what they were in the 70s.
Is this really the defense preparedness we are willing to accept? Well, not this guy. I'm going to speak out against it whenever possible.
Out military forces are too damned small. We are underequiped and ill-prepared for the reality we find ourselves today.
Korea, Iran, Tiawan, Iraq, Israel, are each places that could to balistic at just about any moment. Who are we kidding by intimating that we have an adequate military force today?
I strongly suspect that's the case. Syria may fold like Libya. Iran will be a tough nut to crack, but we will have to take down the Mullahs.
Thank you for the comments. I agree with much of what you posted. Read my #15 reply and see if that lets you know where I'm coming from.
Thanks for the comments. I agree with you.
A salient point that applies to certain Navy LTJGs who unilaterally and without authorization discussed terms with the enemy on behalf of the nation.
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